Putin ‘determined for weapons’ Russia ‘may assist Korea develop nuclear weapons’

Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to as for nearer ties with the hermit kingdom yesterday, amid US intelligence claims that he may meet with North Korean chief Kim Jong-un within the subsequent few days.

“I am convinced that thanks to our joint efforts we will continue to strengthen… bilateral ties on all fronts,” Putin mentioned in a letter addressed to Kim, as North Korea celebrated the seventy fifth anniversary of its basis with a parade in Pyongyang.

North Korea turned the third nation, after Russia and Syria, to formally recognise the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk following Russia’s invasion.

And Kim has provided to produce low-cost labour for the Donbas area. US intelligence sources mentioned that Kim will journey by armoured practice to Vladivostok, the place he’ll talk about arms provides to Russia with Putin.

Former defence secretary Ben Wallace reacted to the news on Tuesday by saying: “And this is how it ends Mr Putin…the once mighty Russia scrabbling around looking for friends and begging North Korea for weapons from the 1960s.”

Experts agreed that, similar to its relationship with Beijing, Moscow’s relationship with Pyongyang was one during which Russia’s place was clearly because the junior associate.

But they warned that “very rational” Kim might exert a excessive worth for his assist.

“The circle has closed. In the 1980s North Korea was almost exclusively funded by the USSR and China,” mentioned Hans Horan, senior geopolitical analyst at Proximities strategic danger group.

“In fact, when the Soviet Union fell, and China was opening up to the world, North Korea experienced famine.

“How things have changed.” And Kim, who’s used to diplomatic isolation and a prickly relationship with China, has each intention of profiting from his new-found standing.

“Despite what people may think, Kim is very opportunistic and very much rational. “His goal is regime preservation and keeping his side of the family in power. In doing this, he has always prioritised security apparatus over economic development or humanitarian aid,” mentioned Mr Horan.

“It is very likely that Kim will want Russian assistance to modernise his nuclear programme. “Russia has a massive stockpile and the capability to miniaturise which North Korea, despite being a nuclear power, does not possess.

“This is not an ideal scenario for Putin, but he would be in no position to say no,” he mentioned.